IMI Partnership Proposition
Why a customised programme?
The main benefit of a customised programme is that its content, structure and delivery can be tailored to the exact requirements of the client organisation. The IMI believes customised programmes work best, indeed can only work, if there is a ‘meeting of minds’ between the IMI and the client, rendered by a spirit of close partnership from the outset. This allows the IMI to have the necessary level of understanding of the client organisation and to work closely with its management team to devise a series of objectives and outcomes that are aligned to the organisation’s performance goals.
How is a programme designed?
IMI works with key managers within the client organisation to craft programmes that meet the needs of the organisation.
Programme development is a six-step process:
- Diagnostic Phase
The programme objectives are set within the context of overall business goals. To do this, the IMI obtains a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the client and its front-line employees. - Preliminary Proposal
IMI faculty members, drawing on current research and leading thinking, explore how best to design the programme to match a mutually agreed set of objectives, taking account of issues facing the company, best practice internationally in comparable sectors, as well as successful leadership and management development models. The proposal is then presented to the client. - Agree Project Plan
A joint plan of action is agreed with the client. - Design Phase
Programme content is created and an expert team appointed to deliver it. On occasion, a pilot programme may be run ahead of a full roll-out with the organisation. - Delivery
The programme is delivered over an agreed time-frame. - Follow-up
After the programme is completed, the IMI undertakes a rigorous evaluation to gauge the extent to which the programme outcomes were in line with the overall strategy of the business.
How are programmes delivered?
As well as using traditional tutoring methods, IMI’s approach draws heavily on the concept of ‘action learning’ – obtaining new insights and developing core competencies by doing, not just by listening. Action learning components include case studies and real projects whose outcome will affect the performance of the client organisation.
Programmes consist of a number of different modules with workshops usually forming a core component of the programme structure. Projects are another important element of tailored programmes and they are often presented to the boards or other senior management teams within client organisations.
Some programme participants are assigned mentors to help guide, challenge and advise them on issues that arise while, on certain programmes, an executive coach is used to help participants interpret the programme.
Who should participate?
As a tailored programme involves a considerable investment for both the organisation and the participants, selecting the right candidates to participate in it is obviously extremely important. For some programmes, such as those for high potential managers, IMI may engage with the client to select candidates.
Benefits of working with IMI
- IMI has a proven track record in the design and delivery of executive education programmes over its 50-year history
- IMI has a proven track record in the design and delivery of management development programmes, with a specific focus on core management skills
- Our approach is biased towards the application of concepts, models and ideas to improve actual performance
- Our programmes reflect latest thinking, and our content and learning design is aimed at enhancing participants’ capabilities as managers
- Programmes are led by a high-quality team of management specialists with a depth of real-world management experience
- Our range of management development programmes has been attended by over 3,000 managers in the current year
- IMI provides online support through our Knowledge Centre
- IMI has an international reputation in the field of action learning, and led the EU National Action Learning Programme in Ireland
- IMI has a purpose-built executive education centre in Sandyford, Dublin 16, with easy access by bus or Luas, free parking for participants, library, restaurant and residential facilities